A moderately elevated FSH level of 15, aparently will not exclude a pregnancy. It just predicts the response to ovarian stimulation medications. ....Day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are also critically important in evaluating your potential for successful conception in an assisted reproductive technology program. Day 3 FSH levels have been shown to be an incredibly accurate predictor of IVF success, independent of age. Essentially, an elevated Day 3 FSH value indicates a very poor prognosis for conception through IVF, and a high risk of pregnancy loss should the rare conception occur. Unfortunately, if you ever exhibit an elevated FSH value, having a normal value at a later time does not favorably change this prognosis. Every IVF program establishes a "threshold" FSH value unique to their laboratory, above which pregnancies are very rarely conceived despite great effort and repeated IVF attempts. At ___, we have determined that an FSH value of 15 or higher predicts that IVF will be of no value in helping to achieve pregnancy. FSH values over 14.5 have produced only rare pregnancies in our program. Prior to initiation of any IVF cycle, Day 3 FSH values are evaluated. Many factors can artificially depress FSH values, but only diminished ovarian fertility reserve can cause an elevated FSH level. Ovum donation is generally recommended as the most potentially successful treatment option in the setting of elevated FSH levels, especially when associated with age beyond 35.
Levels of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) are a good indicator of the state of your egg reserve. FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland to ripen and mature the egg. Levels tend to fluctuate on a monthly basis as perimenopause approaches, but there’s generally a window of opportunity at some point when your level will be low enough to start an IVF cycle.
High FSH levels mean egg quality is likely to be poor and fragile eggs may not be able to withstand the stress of IVF drugs.
Two things to keep in mind though when interpreting Day 3 FSH levels. The first is that elevated levels give a woman a reduced chance of conceiving, not no chance. Some women with elevated FSH levels may still conceive using their own eggs, albeit at a reduced rate.
The second area worth mentioning is that ovarian reserve screening is good at predicting bad outcomes, but relatively poor at predicting good outcomes. In other words, a normal Day 3 FSH level will not change the age of your ovaries or eggs. A normal test of ovarian reserve means that you have an average chance of conceiving for your age group. A 44 year old with a day 3 FSH of 4.8 mIU/ml has less than half the chance of conceiving that a 32 year old with an FSH of 4.8 mIU/mL has. She in turn has less chance of conceiving than does a 22 year old with an FSH of 4.8 mIU/mL
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks